The National tribune., 1887-11-03
PEACH TREE CREEK.
The Battle as Seen by n COmrade Of the Four
teeHfh Corps.

teeHth Corps.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: In answer to
Comrade A. Z. Brown, Co. II, 10th n. Y, as to
when and where the Fourteenth Corps crossed
Peach Tree Creek, 1 would say the First Bril-
gade, First Division Of that corps, crossed on
bridge near a mill, the name Of which have
forgotten, and went into position Immediately
on the right of the First Division, Twentieth
Corps, commanded by Gen. Williams. We
crossed on the morning of the Goth of JHly,
1864 between Z and o'clock. The remainder
of the Fourteenth Corps that took part in the
engagement formed on our right, including
Bairds Third Division, Fourteenth Corps.
The First Brigade, First Division, Fourteenth
Corps was composed at that time of the ID,
33d and Saith Ohio 10th and 2lst Wis, 42d aud
SSH Ind. and l0lth Ill. The brigade was com
manded by Col. A. @. McCook, of the Cd Ohio,
Brig. Gen. w. p. Carlin being absent on leave
Of absence. The brigade was formed in two
lines; the l0ath Ill., 32d and Ssth Iud. being
the front line and placed from left TO right in
the order named. There was very deep
ravine running past the right of tho l0ith H.,
and extending to the rear Of that regiment.
The 42d and SSth Ind. were retired, dropping
in echelon toward the right Of the brigade.
The 33d and 9lth Ohio, 10th and 2lst Mis-,
formed the rear line, and were on higher
ground than the front line.
The brigade had half finished throwing up
works and the men were resting when the ball
opened. Brig-Gen. Ed McCook-brother of
Col. A. G. McCook and commanding a division
of cavalry--was at the headquarters of the First
Brigade that morning, and in conversation
stated that our army had orders TO advance,
and that the advance would commence on our
left and continue from left TO right till the
whole line was engaged. he had hardly ceased
talking when we heard an uproar on our left
far away, but coming nearer, like the roar of a
a nrniP nj NJ
Cook mounted his horse and Immediately rode
to the left.
We all supposed that the advance had begun,
and the troops were gotten under arms in
readiness, when il soon developed that il was
the Johnnes who were making the attack in
stead of the Yanks. The tempest soon struck
the 10th Ill. and swept down the ravine on
its right and rear, drawing the two right COM
panies out Of their haf-fnished works. The
rebels thought they had found the right flank
Of the Army Of the Cumberland.
The writer was an Aid on the brigade staff at
that time, and was with Col. McCook at about
the center of the rear line. The Colonel or
dered me TO have the 10th and 2lst Wis charge
forward and drive the enemy out Of the rayine
and support the l0ith Ill., which was holly en-
gagged. This was done in handsome style. The
AID and SSih Ind. were ordered TO Ere by the
left oblique on the rebels, who were pouring
round the right flank of the 10TH The rebels
could not stand the CALLING fire that was pour
ed into them, and all who had gotten into the
ravine were either killed, wounded or capt
ured.
The right Of the line Of the l04th III. was
CALAMITY regained and the rebel colors capt
ured that had been planted on the works. The
cOlor-bearer was killed, and the whole rebel
line fell back 10 its former position.
When the two right companies Of the l0ith
were driven from their works, Lieut. John
Thomas the other Aid on the brigade staff
kentuckian by birth, and Adjutant of the I'd
Ohio,-rushed CALAMITY forward and, while rail-
lying the right Of the I04th was shot through
the heart, being the last man of the I'd Ohio 10
offer up his life for our noble cause, and as gall
liant one as ever wore the blue. The ID Ohio
was not in the action, being guards of the d.
vision train on that day.
The best Of my recollection is that the rebel
attack did not extend furthur to our right than
our brigade front. The First Brigade, First
Division, Fourteenth Corps, have never re-
ceived proper credit for its work that day, and
that is the reason j have answered the com
rade's inquiry in SO lengthy a manner. All
the regiments of the brigade behaved in their
usual manner, doing well all that was required
Of them, and some Of them being under a hot
fire that they could not return without en-
dangering their comrades in the front.
would be pleased 10 hear from any of nv old
comrades who served in the old First Brigade
w. H. ROXY, Lieutenant, Co. q, 33d Ohio aad
Aid-de-Camp 70 Gen. w. p. Carlin, Haigler
Neb.